What happened
On 6 July 2014, a Windlass Aquilla microlight, registration ZU-CCA, was conducting a private flight in the Limpopo province. After departing from Marble Hall aerodrome and visiting Guinea Feather Lodge and Loskop Dam, the pilot decided to land at Raasblaar Lodge to access the facility's amenities.
Upon arrival at the private gravel strip, the pilot performed a landing pattern, noting calm winds and clear visibility. During the landing roll, the pilot was focused on scanning the runway for wildlife. The passenger alerted the pilot to the presence of steel cables stretched across the runway, which had been installed by the lodge owner to prevent vehicles from driving onto the strip. Although the pilot immediately applied the brakes and reduced throttle, the aircraft struck the cables, resulting in serious injuries to the pilot and substantial damage to the aircraft.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID examined the circumstances surrounding the collision and the status of the aircraft. Investigators found that the landing strip at Raasblaar Lodge was an unlicensed aerodrome. The steel cables, which were marked with black and yellow chevron boards, were positioned across a road that intersects the runway. There were no visual indicators, such as a white cross, to signal that the runway was closed to aviation traffic.
Regarding the aircraft's airworthiness, the investigation revealed that ZU-CCA did not possess a valid authority to fly at the time of the incident. While the owner claimed a recent annual inspection had been completed, no documentation could be provided to verify this, and official records showed the last certified inspection occurred in December 2012.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the collision with steel cables spanning the runway.
- The pilot was properly licensed and qualified for the flight.
- The aircraft was not in a serviceable condition due to an expired authority to fly and an overdue annual inspection.
- The presence of the cables was not detected by the pilot during the approach, only being identified by the passenger during the landing roll.
- Meteorological conditions were favorable, with no wind and excellent visibility.
Safety action
- It is recommended that the SACAA Aerodromes Department consult with the owner of Raasblaar Lodge to remove the cables from the landing strip to prevent similar occurrences.